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djhall wrote:I might breathe vastly better

You are forgetting about the biggest slice of the pie - breathing during the daytime for 16 or so hours.

Gramps had turbinate reduction and deviated septum correction, and he says the improvement during waking hours is at least as important as the improvement while sleeping.

djhall wrote:1) The base of my tongue is high and abnormally close to the roof of my mouth leaving only a small airway in the mouth.
2) I have a mild to moderately deviated septum in both nasal passages and moderately enlarged turbinates.
3) I am a potential candidate for septoplasty and turbinate reduction (and UPPP though he does not recommend it).

I don't see why people assault this doctor. What he has told you is perfectly reasonable. To word what he said in another way -

- Don't have UPPP.

- Do consider septum operation and turbinate reduction.

49er wrote:

curems wrote:

Guest wrote:

curems wrote:I've read many stories of people having the surgery and thinking it was a cure at the beginning only to find out later that they were back to where they started or worse. I have no experience with it whatsoever but when I saw the ENT the other day, he mentioned the surgery as being a possibility but clearly advised against it. He said it is painful, of limited success and unlikely to be a long term solution.

Are you referring to the septoplasty / turbinate reduction or the UPPP? I know the UPPP is notorious for being painful and ineffective and I have no interest in trying it.

My understanding is that septoplasty and turbinate reduction is not quite as bad and is often effective at enabling people to comfortably breathe through their nose (though that isn't expected to have an effect on sleep apnea).

My ENT was referring to both.

I had a septoplasty and turbinate reduction and had very minimal pain. Unfortunately, it only improved breathing mildly but many people have greatly benefited and found it improve their pap therapy.

Prior to the septoplasty, I had a moderate RDI and mild AHI. Recent sleep study came up with a moderate AHI with no RERAs. So obviously, the surgery had no impact on reducing the sleep breathing events and I never expected it would.

49er

Perhaps I misunderstood him. I know he did not recommend either for me but I may not be a candidate anyway.

I always consider my severe allergy to scalpels first, when I see a surgeon. We both have expenses and mine take priorities over his. I have had a constant nasal drip for years, except when I have my nasal mask in place. Maybe I should wear it all day with a portable battery powered PAP.

bwexler wrote: I have had a constant nasal drip for years

Blechhh.

No friends, I guess.

Whale Road wrote:

Wulfman... wrote:In my opinion (and similar comments from a shithead sleep doctor looking in MY throat), the back of the throat doesn't mean much with regard to air going into the lungs from the nose. It's a slightly different air passageway.

lol

This is a basic misunderstanding of anatomy. Both air from the nostril and air from the mouth must pass through that same space. The doctor is right to look at the thickness of the tongue base and make an educated judgment on what is causing the blockages. See http://www.beverlyhillstmjheadachepain. ... ati-score/

But such an examination is secondary to a sleep study in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea.

I have a mild to moderately deviated septum in both nasal passages and moderately enlarged turbinates.

This surgery should be seriously considered. It makes a big improvement in quality of life for many people.

UPPP should be considered in only the most extreme cases, which is not you.

What's the "misunderstanding"? Maybe YOU need to review the information concerning the "respiratory tract".......especially where they meet at the pharynx........which is presumably "the same space" to which you refer.
In my opinion, just looking into someone's mouth doesn't give the complete picture......which was what was behind my comment. He looked into my mouth......and hinting that some surgery ( UPPP? ) may be needed to open my airway to get more air in me than his prescribed 18 cm........but didn't ever ask me if I could breathe well through my nose. I've been a mouth-breather all my life, but since starting on CPAP therapy I've been able to breathe more consistently through my nose. And, instead of using his prescribed 18 cm., I've done very well with my own prescribed 10 - 13 cm.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_tract


Den

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